British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945

355 Pages·2013·6.14 MB·English

by  Doherty

To all who served in armour, especially those who lost their lives.
For heroes have the whole earth for their tomb; and in lands far from their own,
where the column with its epitaph declares it, there is enshrined in every breast
a record unwritten with no tablet to preserve it, except that of the heart.

First published in Great Britain in 2013 by
Pen & Sword Military
an imprint of
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
47 Church Street
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S70 2AS
Copyright © Richard Doherty 2013
ISBN 978-1-84884-838-2
PDF ISBN: 978-1-47382-953-4
EPUB ISBN: 978-1-47382-674-8
PRC ISBN: 978-1-47382-630-4
The right of Richard Doherty to be identified as the Author of this Work
has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing.
Typeset in Ehrhardt by
Mac Style, Driffield, East Yorkshire
Printed and bound in the UK by MPG Printgroup
Pen & Sword Books Ltd incorporates the imprints of Pen & Sword
Archaeology, Atlas, Aviation, Battleground, Discovery, Family History,
History, Maritime, Military, Naval, Politics, Railways, Select,
Social History, Transport, True Crime, and Claymore Press,
Frontline Books, Leo Cooper, Praetorian Press, Remember When,
Seaforth Publishing and Wharncliffe.
For a complete list of Pen & Sword titles please contact
PEN & SWORD BOOKS LIMITED
47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Contents
Acknowledgements
Maps
Prologue
Introduction
Chapter 1 A New Weapon
Chapter 2 First Blood: France 1940
Chapter 3 War in the Desert
Chapter 4 The Struggle Continues
Chapter 5 Eighth Army Turns the Tables
Chapter 6 The End in Africa
Chapter 7 Lessons to be Learned
Chapter 8 Across the Med
Chapter 9 Preparing for OVERLORD
Chapter Tanks into Europe
10
Chapter Finale in Italy
11
Epilogue
Appendix 1: Divisional Orders of Battle
Appendix 2: Armoured Commanders
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
O
nce again I express my thanks to Brigadier Henry Wilson, publishing
manager of Pen and Sword Books, at whose suggestion I researched and
wrote this book and whose encouragement and enthusiasm ensured that it was
completed.
Along the way I also had the support and assistance of many individuals
and organizations to make the book possible. Not least of these was the Tank
Museum at Bovington where the encyclopaedic knowledge and infectious
enthusiasm of David Fletcher MBE, the resident historian, provided answers to
many questions and produced copies of obscure documents.
The records of the armoured divisions and their constituent formations and
units reside at the National Archives at Kew. As ever the staff of the Reading
and Search Rooms were courteous, professional and knowledgeable. Likewise,
the staff of the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth were helpful and professional;
the assistance of Mr Roderick Suddaby, head of the Department of Documents,
was especially appreciated.
Bob O’Hara and his team at the National Archives have often helped me
with my research, especially when a trip to Kew has not been possible while he
and I have often put the world to rights over a cup of tea in the cafeteria. My
thanks are due to Bob and his team for all their work.
In tracking down titles that were long out of print but essential for my
research I was able to call on the help of the Londonderry Central Library and
the Belfast Central Library, as well as the Linen Hall Library in Belfast. To all
three I offer sincere thanks. Particular thanks for obtaining rare titles are also due
to Valerie Jamieson, Head Librarian, Library and Information Services, HQ 38
(Irish) Brigade and to the Prince Consort’s Library, Aldershot, as well as to
Major (Retd) Noel Nash MBE.
Andy Shepherd was kind enough to read the manuscript at various stages
and to offer informed comment that kept me focused on the main effort, and to
Andy I offer a special word of thanks.
Frank Small was helpful with information on the armament of tanks and in
providing an image for the photographs section of the book and I am grateful for
his help. The maps were drawn by Tim Webster, whose patience, understanding
and interest is much appreciated. David Rowlands, military artist extraordinaire,
provided images of a number of his excellent paintings for use in the book as
well as for the jacket, for which I am indebted to him. David also allowed his
painting of 1st Royal Tank Regiment at Beda Fomm to be used on the jacket and
I am especially grateful for this kindness.
The Pen and Sword team are always able to turn a manuscript into a well
presented book and deserve much praise for their efforts. To Matt Jones and the
production team and to Jon Wilkinson for his jacket design I extend my
gratitude.
Finally, I am always grateful for the patient support of Carol, my wife, our
children, Joanne, James and Catríona, and our grandson Cíaran, without which it
would have been impossible for me to write this book.
Richard Doherty
Co. Londonderry
January 2013
Maps